Ingalls Shipbuilding successfully completes builder’s trials for future Coast Guard cutter NSC Stone.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter NSC Stone successfully completed its builder's trials at sea, shipmaker Huntington Ingalls Industries announced on September 14 2020. The ship spent three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing propulsion and auxiliary equipment, as well as various shipboard systems.
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The new U.S. Coast Guard cutter NSC Stone completed its three-day builder's trials, Huntington Ingalls Industries announced. (Picture source: Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries)

In the weeks preceding NSC 9 builder’s trials, safety precautions were put in place to minimize the potential risk of COVID-19 to participants while at sea. The number of shipboard riders was reduced by one-third to allow for adequate social distancing. Those allowed onboard were tested for COVID-19 one week prior to sail and were screened the morning of departure.

Ingalls has delivered eight Legend-class NSCs with two more under construction, and one additional under contract. Stone (WMSL 758), the ninth NSC, is scheduled for delivery later this year.

NSC 9 was named to honor Coast Guard officer Commander Elmer “Archie” Fowler Stone, Coast Guard aviator number one, who made history in 1919 for being one of two Coast Guard pilots in the four-man aircrew who completed the first transatlantic flight in a Navy seaplane.

The NSC Stone was launched in October 2019 and formally christened in February 2020.

The Legend-class NSC is the largest, most technologically advanced ship in the Coast Guard’s fleet, which enables it to meet the high demands required for maritime and homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. NSCs are 418 feet long with a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.